Fire technology and arson investigation Fire Technology

Fire Technology and Arson Investigation (Definition of Terms and Terminologies)

Fire Protection and Arson Investigation (New Syllabi/TOS)

The registered criminologist can perform the competencies under the following sub-topics:

1. Explain the concept of Combustion

2. Illustrate the Classifications, Causes, Prevention, Control, and Extinguishments of Fire;

3. Recall the Organization and mandates of the Bureau of Fire Protection;

4. Understand, and critique The Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 (RA 9514), its IRR, and The
Law on Destructive Arson and relevant provisions of the Building Code of the Philippines;

5. Implement the Techniques and Procedure in Fire and Arson Investigation and Processing of Arson
Evidence and filing of charges in court.

3 State of matter

Solid

Liquid

Gas

4 General Categories Of Heat Energy

Chemical Heat Energy

Electrical Heat Energy

Mechanical Heat Energy

Nuclear Heat Energy

Backdraft – a phenomenon in which a fire that has consumed all available oxygen suddenly explodes
when more oxygen is made available, typically because a door or window has been opened.

Boiling Point – The temperature of a substance where the rate of evaporation exceeds the rate of
condensation.
British Thermal Unit – (BTU) The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of
water one degree F.

Calorie – The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree
Centigrade.

Centigrade – (Celcius) On the Centigrade scale, zero is the melting point of ice; 100 degrees is the boiling
point of water.

Chemical Heat Energy

Heat of Combustion – The amount of heat generated by the combustion (oxidation) process.

Heat of Decomposition – The release of heat from decomposing compounds. These compounds may be
unstable and release their heat very quickly or they may detonate.

Heat of Solution – The heat released by the mixture of matter in a liquid. Some acids, when dissolved,
give off sufficient heat to pose exposure problems to nearby combustibles.

Spontaneous Heating – The heating of an organic substance without the addition of external heat.
Spontaneous heating occurs most frequently where sufficient air is not present to dissipate the heat
produced. The speed of a heating reaction doubles with each 180 F (80 C) temperature increase.

Classification of Fires

Class A Fire – Fires involving ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and
many plastics.

Class B Fires – Fires involving flammable liquids, greases, and gases.

Class C Fires – Fires involving energized electrical equipment.

Class D Fires – Fires involving combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, and
potassium.

Class K Fires – Class K is a new classification of fire as of 1998 and involves fires in combustible cooking
fuels such as vegetable or animal fats.

Combustion – is the self-sustaining process of rapid oxidation of a fuel being reduced by an oxidizing
agent along with the evolution of heat and light.

Creeping – A fire spreading slowly over the ground, generally with a low flame.

Crown fires – burn through the top layer of foliage on a tree, known as the canopy. Crown fires, the most
intense type of fire and often the most difficult to contain, need strong winds, steep slopes, and a heavy
fuel load to continue burning.

Dry Chemicals and Halons – method of fire extinguishment, interrupts the flame-producing chemical
reaction, resulting in rapid extinguishment.

Electrical Heat Energy

Dielectric Heating – The heating that results from the action of either pulsating direct current or
alternating current at high frequency on a non-conductive material.

Heat from Arcing – Heat released either as a high-temperature arc or as molten material from the
conductor.
Heat Generated by Lightning – The heat generated by the discharge of thousands of volts from either
earth to cloud, cloud to cloud, or from cloud to ground.

Induction Heating – The heating of materials resulting from an alternating current flow causing a
magnetic field influence.

Leakage Current Heating – The heat resulting from imperfect or improperly insulated electrical materials.
This is particularly evident where the insulation is required to handle high voltage or loads near
maximum capacity.

Resistance Heating – The heat generated by passing an electrical force through a conductor such as a
wire or an appliance.

Static Electricity Heating – Heat released as an arc between oppositely charged surfaces. Static
electricity can be generated by the contact and separation of charged surfaces or by fluids flowing
through pipes.

Endothermic Heat Reaction – A chemical reaction where a substance absorbs heat energy.

Exothermic Heat Reaction – A chemical reaction where a substance gives off heat energy.

Fahrenheit – On the Fahrenheit scale, 32 degrees is the melting point of ice; 212 degrees is the boiling
point of water.

Fire point – The temperature at which a liquid fuel will produce vapors sufficient to support combustion
once ignited. The fire point is usually a few degrees above the flash point.

Fire Triangle – Oxygen, Fuel, Heat

Using the same theory, there are three ways to extinguish fire:
1. Reduce the temperature (cooling)

2. Cut-off the Oxygen supply

3. Remove the Fuel

Fire National Training Institute – (FNTI) is the Institution for training on human resource development of
all personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Flame – A gas-phased combustion.

Flammable or Explosive Limit – The percentage of a substance in the air that will burn once it is ignited.
Most substances have an upper (too rich) and a lower (too lean) flammable limit.

Flashover – an instance of a fire spreading very rapidly across a gap because of intense heat. Occurs
when a room or other area becomes heated to the point where flames flash over the entire surface or
area.

Flash Point – The minimum temperature at which a liquid fuel gives off sufficient vapors to form an
ignitable mixture with the air near the surface. At this temperature, the ignited vapors will flash, but

Will not continue to burn.

Fuel – is the material or substance being oxidized or burned in the combustion process. Material such as
coal, gas, or oil that is burned to produce heat or power.

Fuel Removal – method of fire extinguishment, fire is effectively extinguished by removing the fuel
source. This may be accomplished by stopping the flow of liquid or gaseous fuel or by removing solid
fuel in the path of the fire or allowing the fire to burn until all fuel is consumed.

Glowing Combustion - A condensed phased combustion.

Heat – the quality of being hot; high temperature. A form of energy arising from the random motion of
the molecules of bodies, which ay be transferred by conduction, convection, or radiation.
Heating – is the transfer of energy, from a hotter body to a colder one, other than by work or transfer of
matter.

Heat of Combustion – The amount of heat generated by the combustion (oxidation) process.

Heat Transfer

Conduction – is transferring heat through a material by direct contact between particles.

Convection – is the process of heat transfer by the movement of fluids.

Radiation – is the transfer of heat by electromagnetic waves. This process does not require a material to
be in contact with the object that is emitting the radiation. Radiation can travel through a vacuum, which
makes it very efficient at transferring heat over long distances.

Ignition Temperature – The minimum temperature to which a fuel in air must be heated in order to start
self-sustained combustion independent of the heating source.

Heat – The form of energy that raises temperature. Heat is measured by the amount of work it does.

Heat of Decomposition - The release of heat from decomposing compounds. These compounds may be
unstable and release their heat very quickly or they may detonate.

Heat of Solution - The heat released by the mixture of matter in a liquid. Some acids, when dissolved,
give off sufficient heat to pose exposure problems to nearby combustibles.

Mechanical Heat Energy

Frictional Heat – The heat generated by the movement between two objects in contact with each other.
Friction Sparks – The heat generated in the form of sparks from solid objects striking each other. Most
often at least one of the objects is metal.

Heat of Compression – The heat generated by the forced reduction of a gaseous volume. Diesel engines
ignite fuel vapor without a spark plug by the use of this principle.

Nuclear Fission and Fusion – The heat generated by either the splitting or combining of atoms.

Oxidation – The complex chemical reaction of organic material with oxygen or other oxidizing agents in
the formation of more stable compounds.

Oxidizing Agents – are those materials that yield oxygen or other oxidizing gases during the course of a
chemical reaction.

Oxygen Dilution – is the reduction of the oxygen concentration to

The fire area.

Phases of Fire

Incipient Phase (Growth Stage)

Free-Burning Phase (Fully Developed Stage)

Smoldering Phase (Decay Stage)

Products of Combustion

Fire gases

Flame

Heat

Smoke
Pyrolysis (also known as thermal decomposition) – is defined as the chemical decomposition of matter
through the action of heat.

RA 6975 – created the BFP.

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – administers and enforces the fire code of the Philippines. The Fire
Bureau shall have the power to investigate all causes of fires and, if necessary, file the proper complaints
with the city or provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the case.

Chief of the Fire Bureau – rank is Director.

Deputy Chief for Administration of the Fire Bureau – 2nd highest officer in the BFP. Rank is Chief
Superintendent.

Deputy Chief for Operation of the Fire Bureau – the 3rd highest officer in the BFP. Rank is Chief
Superintendent.

Chief of Directorial Staff of the Fire Bureau – 4th highest officer in the BFP. Rank is Chief Superintendent.

Directors of the Directorates in the respective national headquarters office – rank is Senior
Superintendent.

Regional Director for Fire Protection – The BFP shall establish, operate and maintain their respective

Regional offices in each of the administrative regions of the country. Rank is Senior Superintendent.

- He/She shall be respectively assisted by the following officers with the rank of Superintendent:

Assistant Regional Director for Administration,

Assistant Regional Director for Operations, and

Regional Chief of Directorial Staff.

Assistant Regional Director for Fire Protection – The assistant heads of the Department’s regional offices
– rank is Senior Superintendent.

District Fire Marshall – the head of the NCR district offices – rank is Senior Superintendent.

Provincial Fire Marshall – the head of the provincial offices – rank is Superintendent.

District Fire Marshall – heads of the district offices – rank is Chief Inspector.

Chief of Municipal/City Fire Station – (also called City/Municipal Fire Marshall) – the head of the
municipal or city stations – rank is Senior Inspector.

Fire Station – at least one in every provincial capital, city, and municipality.

LGU – (Local Government Unit) – shall provide the site of the Fire Station.

RA 9263 – This Act shall be known as the “Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and
Penology Professionalization Act of 2004.

The BFP is headed by a Chief to be assisted by 2 deputy chiefs, 1 for administration and 1 for operation,
all appointed by the President upon recommendation of the DILG Secretary from among qualified
officers with at least the rank of Senior Superintendent in the service.

In no case shall any officer who has retired or is retirable within six (6) months from his/her compulsory
retirement age be appointed as Chief of the Fire Bureau or Chief of the Jail Bureau.

The Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau shall serve a tour of duty not to exceed four (4)
years.

The President may extend such tour of duty in times of war or other national emergency declared by
Congress.
RA 9514 – This act shall be known as the fire code of the Philippines of 2008. An Act establishing a
comprehensive fire code of the Philippines repealing PD 1185 and for other purposes.

Running – A fire rapidly spreading and with a well-defined head.

Smoldering - A fire burning without flame and barely spreading.

Specific Gravity – the density of liquids in relation to water.

Spontaneous Heating – The heating of an organic substance without the addition of external heat.
Spontaneous heating occurs most frequently where sufficient air is not present to dissipate the

Heat produced.

Spotting – A fire producing firebrands carried by the surface wind, a fire whirl, and/or convection column
that fall beyond the main fire area.

Temperature Reduction – method of extinguishing fire, cooling the fuel with water to a point where it
does not produce sufficient vapor to burn.

Torch or Torching – A single tree or a small clump of trees is said to “torch” when its foliage ignites and
flares up, usually from bottom to top. (Synonym – Candle or Candling.)

Vapor Density – the density of a particular gas or vapor relative to that of hydrogen at the same pressure
and temperature.

Definition of Terms Under RA 9514

Abatement – Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.

Administrator – Any person who acts as agent of the owner and manages the use of a building for him.

Blasting Agent – Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used to set off explosives.

Cellulose Nitrate or Nitro Cellulose – A highly combustible and explosive compound produced by the
reaction of nitric acid with a cellulose material.

Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin) – Any plastic substance, materials, or compound having cellulose
nitrate (nitro cellulose) as base.

Combustible, Flammable or Inflammable – Descriptive of materials that are easily set on fire.

Combustible Fiber – Any readily ignitable and free-burning fiber such as cotton, oakum, rags, waste
cloth, waste paper, kapok, hay, straw, Spanish moss, excelsior, and other similar materials commonly

Used in commerce.

Combustible Liquid – Any liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8 C (100 F).

Corrosive Liquid – Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with organic matter or with certain
chemicals.

Curtain Board – A vertical panel of non-combustible or fire-resistive materials attached to and extending
below the bottom chord of the roof trusses, to divide the underside of the roof into separate
compartments so that heat and smoke will be directed upwards to a roof vent.

Cryogenic – Descriptive of any material which by its nature or as a result of its reaction with other
elements produces a rapid drop in temperature of the immediate surroundings.

Damper – A normally open device installed inside an air duct system which automatically closes to
restrict the passage of smoke or fire.
Distillation – The process of first raising the temperature in separate the more volatile from the less
volatile parts and then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce a nearly purified

Substance.

Duct System – A continuous passageway for the transmission of air.

Dust – A finely powdered substance which, when mixed with air in the proper proportion and ignited will
cause an explosion.

Electrical Arc – An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by passage of an electric current across a
space between two conductors or terminals due to the incandescence of the conducting vapor.

Ember – A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially burned, and is still oxidizing
without the manifestation of flames.

Finishes – Materials used as final coating of a surface for ornamental or protective purposes.

Fire – The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light of combustion.

Fire Alarm – Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warm the occupants of the
building or fire fighting elements of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to undertake
immediate action to save life and property and to suppress the fire.

Fire Compartment – A space within a building that is enclosed by fire barriers on all sides, including the
top and bottom.

Fire Door – A fire resistive door prescribed for openings in fire separation walls or partitions.

Fire Hazard – Any condition or act which increases or may cause an increase in the probability of the
occurrence of fire, or which may obstruct, delay, hinder, or interfere with firefighting operations

And the safeguarding of life and property.

Fire Lane – The portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept open and unobstructed at all
times for the expedient operation of fire fighting units.

Fire Protective and Fire Safety Device – Any device intended for the protection of buildings or persons
including but not limited to built-in protection systems such as sprinklers and other automatic

Extinguishing system, detectors for heat, smoke, and combustion products and other warning system
components, and personal protective equipment such as fire blankets, helmets, fire suits, gloves, and
other

Garments that may be put on or worn by persons to protect themselves during fire.

Fire Safety Constructions – Refers to design and installation of walls, barriers, doors, windows, vents,
means of egress, etc. integral to and incorporated into a building or structure in order to minimize
danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes, or panic before the building is evacuated. These features are also
designed to achieve, among others, safe and rapid evacuation of people through means of egress sealed

From smoke or fire, the confinement of fire or smoke in the room or floor of origin, and delay their
spread to other parts of the building by means of smoke sealed and fire resistant doors, walls, and floors.
It shall also mean to include the treatment of building components or contents with flame-retardant
chemicals.

Fire Trap – A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it lacks adequate exits
or fire escapes.

Fire Wall – An exterior wall designed to prevent the spread of fire, having a fire-resistance rating of not
less than four (4) hours with sufficient structural stability to remain standing even if construction on
either side collapses under fire conditions. Fire walls particularly erected above or along property lines
shall have absolutely no openings and shall extend above the roof to one meter (1 m).

Flame Retardant – Any compound or mixture which when applied properly improves the resistivity or
fire resistance quality of fabrics and other materials.

Flash Point – The minimum temperature at which any material gives off vapor in sufficient concentration
to form an ignitable mixture with air.

Fogging – The creation of a cloud of ultra-fine droplets, which are airborne and readily picked up by the
insect as it flies through the swathe of insecticide, fog or mist.
Forging – A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its shape or dimensions.

Forcing – A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its shape or dimensions.

Fulminate – A kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by percussion.

Hazardous Operation/Process – Any act of manufacturing, fabrication, conversion, etc., that uses or
produces materials which are likely to cause fires or explosions.

Horizontal Exit – Passageway from one building to another or through or around a wall in approximately
the same floor level.

Hose Box – A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves, and other equipment are stored and arranged for
fire fighting.

Hose Reel – A cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a fire hose is wound and connected.

Hypergolic Fuel – A rocket or liquid propellant which consists of combinations of fuels and oxidizers
which ignite spontaneously on contact with each other.

Industrial Baking and Drying – The industrial process of subjecting materials to heat for the purpose of
removing solvents or moisture from the same, and/or to fuse certain chemical salts to form a uniform
glazing the surface of materials being treated.

Jumper – A piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass a safety device in an electrical
system.

Occupancy – The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be used.

Occupant – Any person actually occupying and using a building or portions thereof by virtue of a lease
contract with the owner or administrator or by permission or sufferance of the latter.
Organic Peroxide – A strong oxidizing organic compound which releases oxygen readily. It causes fire
when in contact with combustible materials, especially under conditions of high temperature.

Overloading – The use of one or more electrical appliances or devices which draw or consume electrical
current beyond the designed capacity of the existing electrical system.

Owner – The person who holds the legal right of possession or title to a building or real property.

Oxidizing Material – A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient to stimulate or support
combustion.

Pressurized Or Forced Draft Burning Equipment – Type or burner where the fuel is subjected to pressure
prior to discharge into the combustion chamber and/or which includes fans or other provisions for the
introduction of air at above normal atmosphere pressure into the same combustion chamber.

Public Assembly Building – Any building or structure where fifty (50) or more people congregate, gather,
or assemble for any purpose.

Public Way – Any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from the ground to the sky, deeded,
dedicated or otherwise permanently appropriated for public use.

Pyrophoric – Descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously when exposed to air.

Refining – A process where impurities and/or deleterious materials are removed from a mixture in order
to produce a pure element of compound. It shall also refer to partial distillation and electrolysis.

Self-Closing Doors – Automatic closing doors that are designed to confine smoke and heat and delay the
spread of fire.

Smelting – Melting or fusing of metallic ores or compounds so as to separate impurities from pure
metals.
Sprinkler System – An integrated network of hydraulically designed piping installed in a building,
structure or area with outlets arranged in a systematic pattern which automatically discharges water

When activated by heat or combustion products from a fire.

Standpipe System – A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses can be attached on each
floor, including a system by which water is made available to the outlets as needed.

Vestibule – A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and the interior parts of a house or
building.

Vertical Shaft – An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from floor to floor, as well as from the
base to the top of the building.

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FIRE TECHNOLOGY AND ARSON INVESTIGATION

(CDI)

DEFINITION OF TERMS

•Abatement – Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.

•Administrator – Any person who acts as agent of the owner and manages the use of a building for him.
•Blasting Agent – Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used to set off explosives.

•Biomass – Is the name given to such replaceable organic matter as wood, garbage and animal manure
that can be used to produce energy.

•Cellulose Nitrate Or Nitro Cellulose – A highly combustible and explosive compound produced by the
reaction of nitric acid with a cellulose material.

• Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin) – Any plastic substance, materials or compound having cellulose
nitrate (nitro cellulose) as base.

•Combustible, Flammable or Inflammable – Descriptive of materials that are easily set on fire.

•Combustible Fiber – Any readily ignitable and free burning fiber such as cotton, oakum, rags, waste
cloth, waste paper, kapok, hay, straw, Spanish moss, excelsior and other similar materials commonly used
in commerce.

•Combustible Liquid – Any liquid having a flash•point at or above 37.8_C (100_F).

•Corrosive Liquid – Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with organic matter or with certain
chemicals.

•Curtain Board – A vertical panel of non-combustible or fire resistive materials attached to and extending
below the bottom chord of the roof trusses, to divide the underside of the roof into separate
compartments so that heat and smoke will be directed upwards to a roof vent.

•Cryogenic – Descriptive of any material which by its nature or as a result of its reaction with other
elements produces a rapid drop in temperature of the immediate surroundings.

•Damper – A normally open device installed inside an air duct system which automatically closes to
restrict the passage of smoke or fire.
•Distillation – The process of first raising the temperature in separate the more volatile from the less
volatile parts and then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce a nearly purified
substance.

•Duct System – A continuous passageway for the transmission of air.

•Dust – A finely powdered substance which, when mixed with air in the proper proportion and ignited
will cause an explosion.

•Electrical Arc – An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by passage of an electric current across a
space between two conductors or terminals due to the incandescence of the conducting vapor.

•Ember – A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially burned, and is still oxidizing
without the manifestation of flames.

•Finishes – Materials used as final coating of a surface for ornamental or protective purposes.

•Fire – A rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process accompanied by the evolution of heat and light of
varying intensity; an active chemical reaction that takes place between fuel, heat and oxygen in the form
of light and noticeable heat. A chemical reaction; the rapid oxidation of a fuel producing heat and light;
an oxidation taking place with a rate rapid enough to produce heat and light.

•Fire Trap – A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it lacks adequate exits
or fire escapes.

•Fire Alarm – Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warm the occupants of the
building or fire fighting elements of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to undertake
immediate action to save life and property and to suppress the fire.

•Fire Door – A fire resistive door prescribed for openings in fire separation walls or partitions.
•Fire Hazard – Any condition or act which increases or may cause an increase in the probability of the
occurrence of fire, or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with fire fighting operations and the
safeguarding of life and property.

•Fire Lane – The portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept opened and unobstructed at all
times for the expedient operation of fire fighting units.

•Ember – Any device intended for the protection of buildings or persons to include but not limited to
built-in protection system such as sprinklers and other automatic extinguishing system, detectors for
heat, smoke and combustion products and other warning system components, personal protective
equipment such as fire blankets, helmets, fire suits, gloves and other garments that may be put on or
worn by persons to protect themselves during fire.

•Fire Safety Constructions – Refers to design and installation of walls, barriers, doors, windows, vents,
means of egress, etc. integral to and incorporated into a building or structure in order to minimize
danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the building is evacuated. These features are also
designed to achieve, among others, safe and rapid evacuation of people through means of egress sealed
from smoke or fire, the confinement of fire or smoke in the room or floor of origin and delay their spread
to other parts of the building by means of smoke sealed and fire resistant doors, walls and floors. It shall
also mean to include the treatment of buildings components or contents with flame retardant chemicals.

•Flash Point – The minimum temperature at which any material gives off vapor in sufficient
concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air.

•Forcing – A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its shape or dimensions.

•Fulminate – A kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by percussion.

•Hazardous Operation/Process – Any act of manufacturing, fabrication, conversion, etc., that uses or
produces materials which are likely to cause fires or explosions.

•Horizontal Exit – Passageway from one building to another or through or around a wall in approximately
the same floor level.
•Hose Box – A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other equipment are stored and arranged for
fire fighting.

•Hose Reel – A cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a fire hose is wound and connected.

•Hypergolic Fuel – A rocket or liquid propellant which consists of combinations of fuels and oxidizers
which ignite spontaneously on contact with each other.

•Industrial Baking And Drying – The industrial process of subjecting materials to heat for the purpose of
removing solvents or moisture from the same, and/or to fuse certain chemical salts to form a uniform
glazing the surface of materials being treated.

•Jumper – A piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass a safety device in an electrical
system.

•Occupancy – The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be used.

•Occupant – Any person actually occupying and using a building or portions thereof by virtue of a lease
contract with the owner or administrator or by permission or sufferance of the latter.

•Organic Peroxide – A strong oxidizing organic compound which releases oxygen readily. It causes fire
when in contact with combustible materials especially under conditions of high temperature.

•Overloading – The use of one or more electrical appliances or devices which draw or consume electrical
current beyond the designed capacity of the existing electrical system.

•Owner – The person who holds the legal right of possession or title to a building or real property.

•Oxidizing Material – A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient to stimulate or support
combustion.
•Pressurized Or Forced Draft Burning Equipment – Type or burner where the fuel is subjected to
pressure prior to discharge into the combustion chamber and/or which includes fans or other provisions
for the introduction of air at above normal atmosphere pressure into the same combustion chamber.

•Public Assembly Building – Any building or structure where fifty (50) or more people congregate, gather,
or assemble for any purpose.

•Public Way – Any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from the ground to the sky, deeded,
dedicated or otherwise permanently appropriated for public use.

•Pyrophoric – Descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously when exposed to air.

•Refining – A process where impurities and/or deleterious materials are removed from a mixture in
order to produce a pure element of compound. It shall also refer to partial distillation and electrolysis.

•Self-Closing Doors – Automatic closing doors that are designed to confine smoke and heat and delay the
spread of fire.

•Smelting – Melting or fusing of metallic ores or compounds so as to separate impurities from pure
metals.

•Sprinkler System – An integrated network of hydraulically designed piping installed in a building,

structure or area with outlets arranged in a systematic pattern which automatically discharges water
when activated by heat or combustion products from a fire.

•Standpipe System – A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses can be attached on each
floor, including a system by which water is made available to the outlets as needed.

•Tetrahedron of Fire – a geometric representation of what is required for fire to exist, namely, fuel, an
oxidizing agent, heat, and an uninhibited chemical reaction

•Vestibule – A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and the interior parts of a house or
building.
•Vertical Shaft – An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from floor to floor, as well as from
the base to the top of the building.

 Fire in Legend and Religion

• In Persian literature – Fire was discovered during a fight of a hero with a beast. A stone that the hero
used as a weapon missed the monster and struck a rock. Sparks was seen and human saw fire for the
first time.

• In Greek mythology, Prometheus was bestowed with god like powers when he stole the gods’ fire to
give it to humanity.

• Fire played a central role in religion. It has been used as a god and recognized as a symbol of home and
family in many cultures. Fire has also been a symbol of purification and immortality.

 Important Personalities and their Invention

1. John Walker – He was an English Pharmacist who invented the first match in 1827. The tip of this
match was coated with a mixture of antimony sulfide and potassium chlorate that was held on
the wooden matchstick by gum Arabic and starch.

2. Antoine Lavoisier – A French chemist who proved in 1777 that burning is the result of the rapid
union of oxygen with other substance. As the substances burn, heat and light are produced.

3. Thomas Alva Edison – An American inventor who was able to send an electric current through a
carbon filament until the filament become so hot that it gave off light.

 Elements of Fire or the Triangle of Fire

1. Fuel – anything that will burn when heated with sufficient oxygen
2. Oxygen – the common oxidizing agent; aids in combustion; comes from the atmosphere we
breath; the atmosphere contains: 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen and 1% impurities

3. Heat – source of ignition

 Properties of Fire:

A. Physical Properties of Matter Related to Fire

1. Specific gravity – The ratio of the weight of a solid or substance to the weight of an equal volume
of water.

2. Vapor density – The weight of a volume of pure gas compared to the weight of a volume of dry
air at the same temperature and pressure.

3. Vapor pressure – The force exerted by the molecules on the surface of the liquid at equilibrium.

4. Temperature – the measure of thermal degree of the agitation of molecules of a given

substance; the measure of the molecule activity within a substance.

5. Boiling point – Is the constant temp. at which the vapor pressure of the liquid is equal to the
atmospheric pressure.

6. Fire points – Is the lowest temp. of a liquid in an open container at which vapors are evolved fast
enough to support continuous combustion.

7. Flash point – Is the temp. At which flammable liquids from a vapor air mixture that ignites.
8. Auto-ignition point/kindling temp.

B. Chemical Properties of Fire:

1. Endothermic Reaction – changes whereby energy (heat) is absorbed or is added before the
reaction takes place.

2. Exothermic reaction – are those that release or give off energy (heat) thus they produce
substances with less energy than the reactants.

3. Oxidation – It is defined, as a chemical change in which combustible material (fuel) and an

oxidizing agent, like oxygen react.

4. Combustion – burning

5. Flame

 Fire Tetrahedron

1. Oxygen (Oxidizing Agent) – a colorless, odorless gas and one of the compositions of air which is
approximately 21% percent by volume.

2. Fuel – the material or substance being oxidized or burned in the combustion process. Fuel
sources: a) Solid – molecules are closely packed together; b) Liquid – molecules are loosely
packed; c) Gas – molecules are free to move
 3. Heat – the energy component of the fire tetrahedron; when heat comes into contact with a fuel,
the energy supports the combustion reaction; heat energy is measured in units of Joules (J),
however it can also be measured in Calories (1 Calorie = 4.184 J) and BTU’s (1 BTU = 1055 J)

 Types of Energy (common sources of heat)

A. Chemical Energy – the most common source of heat in combustion reactions

B. Electrical Energy – can generate temperature high enough to ignite any combustible
material near the heated area.

Examples:

A. over current or overload

B. sparking

C. lightning

D. Arcing

E. static

C. Nuclear Energy – generated when atoms either split apart (fission) or combine (fusion)

Example :

A. Fission heats water to drive steam turbines

And produce electricity

B. Solar energy is a product of a fusion reaction

C. Mechanical Energy – an energy created by friction and compression:

 A. Heat of friction – the movement of two surfaces against each other, thus producing
sparks

B. Heat of compression – heat is generated when a gas is compressed in a container or

cylinder

• Temperature – a measure of the degree of molecular activity of a material compared to a reference

point; a measure of the degree of molecular activity of a material compared to a reference point;
measured in degrees Farenheit or degrees Celsius

ºCºF Response

37 98.6 Normal human oral/body temperature

44 111 Human skin begins to feel pain

48 118 Human skin receives a first degree burn injury

55 131 Human skin receives a second degree burn injury

62 140 A phase where burned human tissue becomes numb

72 162 Human skin is instantly destroyed

100 212 Water boils and produces steam

140 284 Glass transition temperature of polycarbonate

230 446 Melting temperature of polycarbonate

250 482 Charring of natural cotton begins

300 572 Charring of modern protective clothing fabrics begins

600 1112 Temperatures inside a post-flashover room fire

4. Self-sustained Chemical Reaction – Combustion is a complex reaction that requires a fuel (in the
gaseous or vapor state), an oxidizer, and heat energy to come together in a very specific way.
 Once flaming combustion or fire occurs, it can only continue when enough heat energy is
produced to cause the continued development of fuel vapors or gases. Scientists call this type of
reaction a “chain reaction”. A chain reaction is a series of reactions that occur in sequence with
the result of each individual reaction being added to the rest.

 What Are The Classes Of Fire Extinguishers?

There are mainly four classes of fire extinguishers – A, B, C and D – and each class can put out a different
type of fire.

Class A extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper

Class B extinguishers are for use on flammable liquids like grease, gasoline and oil

Class C extinguishers are suitable for use only on electrically energized fires

Class D extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals

Class E – fires involving electrically energised equipment.

Class F – fires involving cooking oils and fats.

It should be operated using the P.A.S.S. technique

P. Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher in order to break the tamper seal.

A. Aim the fire extinguisher low, with the nozzle pointed at the base of the fire.

S. Squeeze the handle of the fire extinguisher to release the extinguishing agent.
S. Sweep the nozzle from side to side while pointed at the base of the fire until it is extinguished.

If the fire re-ignites, repeat the last 3 steps.

 Stages of Fire

1. Ignition – describes the period when the four elements of the fire tetrahedron come together
and combustion begins

2. Growth – shortly after ignition, a fire plume begins to form above the burning fuel. As the plume
develops, it begins to draw or entrain air from the surrounding space into the column.

3. Flashover – the transition between the growth and the fully developed fire stages and is not a
specific event such as ignition. During flashover, conditions in the compartment change very
rapidly as the fire changes from one that is dominated by the burning of the materials first
ignited to one that involves all of the exposed combustible surfaces within the compartment.

4. Fully-developed – occurs when all combustible materials in the compartment are involved in the
fire

5. Decay – as the fire consumes the available fuel in the compartment, the rate of heat released
begins to decline.

 Three (3) Stages of Fire

1. Incipient phase – Initial stage of fire. Characteristics:

A. normal room temperature

B. thermal updraft rise accumulates at higher point

C. Producing C02, CO, SO2, water and other gases

D. oxygen plentiful

E. temperature at 1000 F

2. Free Burning Phase – A phase of burning in which materials or structures are burning in the
presence of adequate oxygen. Characteristics:

A. fire has involved more fuel

B.heat accumulates at upper area

C. area is fully involved

D. oxygen supply has depleted

E. Temperature exceeds 1,330 F

3. Smoldering – final phase of burning wherein flame ceases but dense smoke and heat completely
fill the confined room

 The three groups of combustible materials basing on the three states of matter are:

1. Solid Combustible Materials – Includes inorganic or organic, natural or synthetic, and metallic
solid materials.

2. Liquid Combustible Materials – Includes all flammable liquid fuels and chemicals.

3. Gaseous Substances – Includes those toxic/hazardous gases that are capable of ignition.

 Classification of Combustible Materials:

1. Class A Fuel – ordinary combustible materials that are usually made of organic substances such
as wood and wood-based products; includes some of those synthetic and/or inorganic materials
like rubber, leather and plastics.
 2. Class B Fuel – materials which are in the form of flammable liquids such as alcohol, acidic
solutions, oil, and other chemicals such those liquid petroleum products.

3. Class C Fuel – normally fire resistant materials; these are material used in electrical wiring and
other electrical appliances.

4. Class D Fuel – combustible metallic substances such as magnesium, titanium; zirconium, sodium
and potassium.

 Factors affecting the combustibility of wood and wood-based products:

1. Physical form

2. Heat conductivity

3. Rate of Combustion

4. Moisture content – water content

5. Rate and Period of heating

6. Ignition Temperature

 Two (2) General Groups of Liquid Fuels:

1. Flammable Liquids – liquids have a flash point below 37.8 degree Celsius (100 degree
Fahrenheit)

2. Combustible Liquids – liquids have flash point at or above 37.8 degree Celsius. (100 degree
Fahrenheit )

 Classification of Gases:
 A. Based on Source:

1. Natural Gas – The gas used to heat buildings, cook food, and provide energy for industries. It
consists chiefly of methane, a colorless and odorless gas. Natural gas is usually mixed with
compounds of the foul-smelling element sulfur so gas leaks can be detected. Butane and
propane, which make up a small proportion of natural gas, become liquids when placed under
large amount of pressure. When pressure is released, they change back into gas. Such fuels often
called liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG), are easily stored and shipped
as liquid.

2. Manufactured Gas – This gas like synthetic liquid fuels is used chiefly where certain fuels are
abundant and others are scarce. Coal, petroleum and Biomass can all be converted to gas
through heating and by various chemical procedures. Gas can also produce by treating such
biomass as animal manure with bacteria called ANAEROBES. The bacteria expel methane as they
digest the waste.

B. Based on or According to Physical Properties:

1. Compressed Gases – are those in normal atmospheric temperature pressure inside its container.
Its pressure is dependent on how much gas is inside the container.

2. Liquefied Gases – are those in normal atmospheric pressure partly in liquid state and partly in
solid state under pressure inside the container. Its pressure is dependent upon the temperature
of the liquid.

3. Cryogenic Gases – are liquefied gases that exist in its container at temperature far below normal
atmospheric temperature, usually slightly above its boiling point with low moderate pressure.

C. Based on Usage:

1. Fuel gases – flammable gases used for burning with air to produce heat and utilized as power,
light sources, etc..
2. Industrial gases – a large number of gases used in industrial processes such as those used in
welding and cutting of metals. (Oxygen, acetylene), refrigeration, chemical processing, water
treatment, etc.e.g. Freon, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen, chlorine and fluorine.

3. Medical gases – those used for treatment such as for anesthesia, and for respiratory therapy. E.g.
Chloroform, nitrous oxide, oxygen.

 Modes of Heat Transfer

1. Conduction – heat transfer within solids or between contacting solids. When a hot object
transfers its heat, conduction has taken place. The transfer could be to another object or to
another portion of the same object. As we have discovered and will be constantly reinforced
about, combustion occurs on the molecular level. When an object heats up, the atoms become
agitated and begin to collide with one another. A chain reaction of molecules and atoms, like
wave energy, occurs and causes the agitated molecules to pass the heat energy to areas of non-
heat.

2. Convection – heat transfer by the movement of liquids or gasses. Air that is hotter than its
surroundings rises. Air that is cooler than its surroundings sinks. Air is made up of many
molecules floating about freely. Even so, it still has weight. Some molecules are made up of the
same element. For example, oxygen in its natural state will combine with another oxygen atom
to form a stable oxygen molecule. In a given volume, air at a given temperature will have the
same density. Density. When heated, as in conduction theory, the molecules become agitated
and begin to collide with one another. In the process, the molecules are demanding more space
to accommodate the vibrations and they push into one another as they seek that space. When
that happens, the density of a given volume is reduced and it weighs less. Because it weighs less,
it rises until It reaches equilibrium-the level at which the weight is the same as the surrounding
atmosphere.

3. Radiation – heat transfer by electromagnetic waves. The last form of heat transfer occurs by
radiation. As we have already seen, heat energy can be transmitted directly when molecules
collide with one another and cause the waves of heat energy to travel.

4. Flame Contact – heat may be conducted from one body to another by direct flame contact
  Classifications of Fire

A. Based on Cause

1. Natural Fire – providential involves fires without direct human intervention.

Examples:

A. Earthquake

B. Typhoon

C. Lightning

D. Spontaneous combustion arising from the storage of combustible materials in poorly ventilated places

E. Explosion from petroleum products, alcohol and other substances

F. Sun rays focused on glasses which may serve as a convex lens

2. Accidental Fire:

A. Carelessly discarded cigarettes

B. Careless disposition of readily combustible materials

C. Poorly managed or defective heating facilities

D. Overheating, spark and electrical defects

E. Overload electric circuits/ Octopus connections

F. Children playing matches

E. Use of candles

3. Intentional Fire/Incendiary – Is one deliberately set under circumstances in which the person
knows that the fire should not be set.
 4. Undetermined – whenever the cause cannot be proven, the proper classification is
undetermined

B. Based on Burning Fuel

1. CLASS A – ordinary solid materials such as wood, paper, fabrics, etc.; this will be indicated by
deep cited fire, leaves ashes and embers (glowing coals) after burning.

2. CLASS B – flammable liquids such as gasoline, lube oil, kerosene, paint thinner, etc.

3. CLASS C – electrical appliances; causes electric shock.

4. CLASS D – metal fire such as magnesium (white element burning with dazzling light), sodium

(a silver white metallic element), etc.; creates violent reaction.

5. CLASS E – flammable gases such as LPG, LNG, etc.; also creates violent reaction.

 Fire Classes in the United Kingdom and Europe

A – ordinary combustibles

B – flammable or flammable liquids

C – flammable gasses

D – combustible metals

E – (this class is no longer existing in Europe)

F – cooking oils and fats

  Fire Classes in Australia and Asia

A – everyday combustibles

B – combustible or combustible liquids

C – combustible gasses

D – combustible metals

E – electrical equipment

F – cooking fats and oils

 Fire Classes in the U.S.A. (NFPA)

A – regular combustibles

B – flammable liquids and gasses

C – electrical appliances

D – combustible metals

K – cooking oils and fats

 Fire Extinguishing Agent

Class A – water (all agents)

Class B – foam/carbon dioxide (all agents)

Class C – carbon dioxide/powder (never use water, soda acid and foam)

Class D – special powder

Class E – all agents

 Types of Dry Chemical Extinguisher

1. Ammonium phosphate – also known as “tri-class”, “multipurpose” or “ABC” dry chemical, used
on class A, B, and C fires. It receives its class A rating from the agent’s ability to melt and flow at
 177 °C (350 °F) to smother the fire. More corrosive than other dry chemical agents. Pale yellow
in color.

2. Foam-Compatible – which is a sodium bicarbonate (BC) based dry chemical, was developed for
use with protein foams for fighting class B fires. Most dry chemicals contain metal stearates to
waterproof them, but these will tend to destroy the foam blanket created by protein (animal)
based foams. Foam compatible type uses silicone as a waterproofing agent, which does not
harm foam. Effectiveness is identical to regular dry chemical, and it is light green in color (some
ANSUL brand formulations are blue). This agent is generally no longer used since most modern
dry chemicals are considered compatible with synthetic foams such as AFFF.

3. MET-L-KYL – Is a specialty variation of sodium bicarbonate for fighting pyrophoric liquid fires
(ignite on contact with air). In addition to sodium bicarbonate, it also contains silica gel particles.
The sodium bicarbonate interrupts the chain reaction of the fuel and the silica soaks up any
unburned fuel, preventing contact with air. It is effective on other class B fuels as well. Blue/Red
in color.

4. Potassium bicarbonate & Urea Complex (aka Monnex) – used on Class B and C fires. More
effective than all other powders due to its ability to decrepitates (where the powder breaks up
into smaller particles) in the flame zone creating a larger surface area for free radical inhibition.

5. Potassium bicarbonate (aka Purple-K) – used on class B and C fires. About two times as effective
on class B fires as sodium bicarbonate, it is the preferred dry chemical agent of the oil and gas
industry. The only dry chemical agent certified for use in ARFF by the NFPA. Violet in color.

6. Potassium Chloride or Super-K dry chemical – was developed in an effort to create a high
efficiency, protein-foam compatible dry chemical. Developed in the 60s, prior to Purple-K, it was
never as popular as other agents since being a salt, it was quite corrosive. For B and C fires,
white in color.

7. Sodium bicarbonate – “regular” or “ordinary” used on class B and C fires, was the first of the dry
chemical agents developed. It interrupts the fire’s chemical reaction, and was very common in
commercial kitchens before the advent of wet chemical agents, but now is falling out of favor, as
it is much less effective than wet chemical agents for class K fires, less effective than Purple-K for
class B fires, and is ineffective on class A fires. White or blue in color.
  Methods of Extinguishment

1. Cooling – heat absorption.

2. Smothering – by expelling oxygen

3. Separation – the removal of the fuel.

4. Inhibition or the interruption of chemical chain reaction

 Strategies Used in Firefighting:

1. Locate the fire

2. Extinguish the fire

3. Confine the fire

4. Exposures

 Factors to Consider in Extinguishment:

1. Time

2. Weather (temperature, humidity, wind)

3. Fire ( ex. Extent, location, bldg construction, contents involved)

4. Occupancy

5. Ventilation (used for clearing the bldg of smoke and gases)

 Types of Ventilation:

A. Vertical ventilation – must be worked from the top to bottom

B. Cross or horizontal ventilation – used if gases have not reached the higher level through
the opening of windows
 C. Mechanical force ventilation – a method whereby a device such as smoke ejector is
utilized to remove faster excessive heat and dense smoke

 Factors to determine the location for the opening:

1. Location of intensity of fire

2. Direction of wind

4. Highest point on the roof

5. Existing exposure

Extent of fire

6. Obstruction

 Additional Basic Tactics used in Extinguishing Fire

1. Rescue – any action taken by the firefighters to remove occupants/ persons from building/
hazards to a safety place

2. Overhaul – a complete and detailed checked of the structures and materials involved in the fire
to make sure that every spark and ember has been extinguished and to have assurance against
re-ignition

3. Salvage – an action taken by the firefighters in preventing excessive damage by fire, water with
the use of salvage cover or by removing materials out from the burning building

• Ladder Terminology

1. Bed ladder – the lowest section of an extension ladder

2. Fly ladder – the top section of an extension ladder

3. Butt – the bottom end of a ladder

4. Heel – the part of the ladder that touches the ground

5. Halyard – a rope or cable used to raised the fly ladder

6. Pawl or dog – the mechanism located at the end of the fly ladder that locks to the bed ladder

7. Rung – the cross member of the ladder that is used for climbing

8. Top or tip – it is the top part of the ladder

9. Hooks – part of a ladder that is used to hook over a roof peak, sills, or walls where the heel does not
rest on a foundation. (roof type ladders)

10. Stops – made of metal or wood blocks used to prevent the fly of an extension ladder from extending
out further from the ladder

11. Guides – light metal strips of an extension ladder that guides the fly ladder while it is being raised or
lowered

 Types of Ladder

1. Ground ladders (10 to 55 ft. long)

2. Aerial ladders

 Purposes of Ladders

1. for rescue

2. to stretch line into a fire building

3. to provide ventilation by giving access to places that are hard to reach

 Forms of ground ladders

1. Wall

2. Hook or straight ladder

3. Extension

4. Attic ladder
ARSON INVESTIGATION📎

• Arson – the willful and malicious burning of all kinds of buildings and structures including personal
properties.

• Attempted Arson – In attempted arson, it is not necessary that there be a fire before the crime is
committed. No hard and fast rule is laid down by the law as to the requirements for attempted arson.
The peculiar facts and circumstances of a particular case should carry more weight in the decision of the
case. Thus, a person intending to burn a wooden structure, collects some rags, soaks them in gasoline
and places them beside the wooden wall of the building. When he is about to light a match to set fire to
the rags, he is discovered by another who chases him away.

- The crime committed is attempted arson, because the offender begins the commission of the
crime directly by overacts (placing the rags soaked in gasoline beside the wooden wall of the
building and lighting a match) but he does not perform all the acts of execution (the setting of
the fire to the rags) due to the timely intervention of another who chases away) the offender.

• Frustrated Arson – In frustrated arson, the fact of having set fire to some rags and jute sacks soaked in
kerosene oil and placed near the partition of the entire soil of an inhabited house, should not be
qualified as a consummated arson, in as much as no part of the house had begun to burn, although fire
would have started in the said partition had it not been extinguished on time. The crime committed was
frustrated arson.

 Note : yes meron po sa book as a general rule meron safe to follow kung hindi maglalagay ng
additional facts sa valdez such as sementado yan house or may bagyo o malakas yan hangin just
follow the valdez principle. US VS VALDEZ pag lumabas lang yung situation na ganyan sa
Question frustrated ang sagot. PERO No such thing as frustrated arson Mere preparatory acts are
generally not punishable by the RPC walang Case satin sa Pilipinas or sa RPC wala attempted at
consumated lang Please correct me if I am wrong.

• Consummated Arson – The offender did in fact set fire to the roof of the house and said house was
partially burned. The crime was consummated arson, notwithstanding the fact that the fire afterwards
extinguished for once it has been started, the consummation of the crime of arson does not depend
upon the extent of the damage caused. Setting fire to the contents of a building constitutes the
consummated crime of setting fire to a building even if no part of the building was burned.
  Elements of Arson

1. Actual burning took place

2. Actual burning is done with malicious intent

3. The actual burning is done by person(s) legally and criminally liable

 Laws on Arson

1. Article 320 – 326 of the Revised Penal Code – defines arson, its forms and penalties

2. PD 1613 – the law amending the law on arson; defining the prima facie evidence of arson

3. RA 7659 – An Act to Impose Death Penalty on Certain Heinous Crimes, amending for that
purpose the Revised Penal Code as amended, other special laws, and for other purposes

4. RA 6975 Sec. 54 – provides that the Fire Bureau shall have the power to investigate all causes of
fires and if necessary file the proper complaint with the City/Provincial Prosecutor who has
jurisdiction over the case

5. RA No. 9514 – known as the “Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008”.

• What Constitutes Arson?

1. Burning

2. Willfulness – means intentional and implies that the act was done purposely and intentionally

3. Malice – denotes hatred or ill will or a desire for revenge; deliberate intention of doing unjustified
harm for the satisfaction of doing it

4 Motive – the moving cause which induces the commission of a crime; something that leads or
Influences a person to do something

6. Intent – the purpose or design with which the act is done and involves the will; an essential
element of crime, motive is not

• Why is arson very hard to investigate?

Arson is one of the most difficult offenses to investigate because the arsonist can be able to set a fire
and escape undetected. The fire can consume the scene and destroy much physical evidence of the
offense. Harder forms of evidence are often buried in debris and grossly altered in appearance.

• What Constitutes Burning?

1. The mere fact that a building is scorched or discolored by heat is not sufficient nor will bare
intention or even an attempt to burn a house amount to arson, if no part of it is burned.

2. Yet, if there is actual ignition of any part of the building, arson is committed, although there be
no flame or the fire immediately goes out of itself.

3. To burn means to consume by fire and in the case of arson, if the wood is blackened but no
fibers are wasted, there is no burning, yet the wood need not be in flame or blaze, and the
burning of any part, however, small is sufficient to constitute arson, and if the house is charred in
a single place so as to destroy the fibers of the wood, it is sufficient to constitute arson.

 Some of the Burn Indicators

1. Alligatoring: Checking of charred wood, giving it the appearance of alligator skin. Large rolling
blisters indicate rapid, intense heat; small, flat alligatoring indicates long low heat.

2. Crazed and fractured glass: Crazing refers to the cracking of glass into smaller segments or
subdivision in an irregular pattern. Crazing into small segment or pieces suggest that the item
was subjected to a rapid and intense heat build up. It also suggests that the item may be located
 at or close to the point of origin. A glass item that inhibits a larger crazing pattern implies that it
may have been in an area some distance away from the point of origin.

3. Depth of char: This is the depth of burning of wood – used to determine length of burn and
thereby locate the point of origin.

4. Distorted light bulbs: Incandescent light bulbs can sometimes show the direction of heat
impingement. As the side of the bulb facing the source of heat is heated and softened, the gases
inside a bulb can begin to expand and bubble out of the softened glass. This is traditionally been
called a pulled light bulb.

5. Line of demarcation: Boundary between charred and uncharred material. On floor or rugs, a
puddle – shaped line of demarcation is believed to indicate a liquid fire accelerant. In a cross
section of wood, a sharp, distinct line of demarcation indicates a rapid intense fire.

6. Sagged furniture spring: Because the heat required for furniture spring to collapse from their
own weight (1, 150 degrees Fahrenheit) and because of the insulating effect of the upholstery,
sagged spring are believed to be possible only in either the fire originating inside the furniture or
an external fire intensified by a fire accelerant.

7. Spalling: Is a condition ordinarily associated with masonry and cement building materials. It may
appear as a distinctive discoloration of bricks or concrete; in some cases, the surface of the
building may be pitted and rough. This is because an intense fire may cause the moisture inside
the masonry or brick element to convert to steam.

8. Freezing of leaves: Drying of leaves in a forest fire into their position at the time of the fire.
Because leaves turn during the day to face the sun, their position indicates the time of day the
fire occurred.

 Basis of Liability in Arson:

1. Kind and character of the building, whether of public or private ownership.

2. Its location, whether in an uninhabited place or in a populated place.

3. Extent of damage caused; and

4. The fact of its being inhabited or not.

 Some of the Arson Evidence that the Investigator should seek at the Fire scene are the following:

1. Unusually rapid spread of the fire.

2. Where it originated?

3. Separate fires – when two or more separate fires break-out within a building, the fire is certainly
suspicious.

4. Unusual odors – the odor of gasoline, alcohol, kerosene and other inflammable liquids are
indicated by their characteristics and oftentimes, arsonists are trapped because of this tell tale
signs.

5. Objects that appear to be foreign to the scene such as cans, candles, matches, explosives,
electrical appliances such as irons, heating elements, clocks, radios, flammables, trailers, etc.

6. Charring pattern may indicate fire characteristics. The fact that the fire feeds on combustible
while propagating itself, indicates that the char will generally be deepest from where the fire
originates. When a fire is extinguished quickly, the charring is only slightly below the surface. Fire
burning for a longer period of time will indicate a char that is deep and pronounced. These facts
are most apparent in the charring of wood as a fire burns. The charring from fire on woods looks
like the hide of a black alligator. Fire extinguished quickly on wood will show a large alligatoring
pattern that has not penetrate the wood to any extent. Fire burning for a long period of time on
wood will show small alligatoring pattern but the char will go deep into the wood. The direction
of fire can also be taken into consideration with charring. The exposed side of combustible will
have a deeper char than the unexposed side.
 7. Evidence of forcible entry or lack of same may be important depending on the circumstances at
the time of the fire. If the investigator determines there was no forcible entry and finds that the
building was secured prior to discovery of the fire, he can reasonably suspect there is possibility
that the person who sets the fire entered the building with a key. Doors and windows showing
signs of forced entry may point to arson preceded by burglary or arson by someone without a
key to the premises.

 Motive of Arson Can Be Established By:

1. Economic Gain

A. Insurance fraud with the assured directly benefiting:

1. Desire to move – the premises may no longer be desirable because of the condition of the building,
the fact that the quarters are outgrown or because of the locality.

2. Disposing of Merchandise – the stocks on hand may have lost value by reason of the seasonal
nature of the business, obsolesce, scarcity of materials necessary to complete the contracts,
overstock in the absence of expected order or a changing market.

3. Property Transaction – the business itself may no longer be desirable because of impending
liquidation, settlement of an estate of which it is a part, the need for cash, prospective failure, the
comparatively greater value of the land, or the comparatively greater value of the insurance
benefits.

B. Profit by the Perpetrator other than the assured:

1. Insurance agents wishing business

2. Insurance adjusters desiring to adjust a loss by securing a contract

3. Business competitors

4. Persons seeking jobs as protection personnel

 5. Salvagers

6. Contractors wishing to rebuild or wreck

2. Concealment of Crime – the arsonists may set fire to a building in order to conceal a projected or
past crime. He may wish to divert attention in order to loot the burning premises or steal in
other places. The burning may be for the purpose of destroying evidences.

3. Punitive Measure – An arsonist may use fire as a means of punishing another person for reason
of jealousy, hatred or revenge.

4. Intimidation or Economic Disabling – The fire may be used as a weapon of the saboteurs, the
strikers or the racketeers to intimidate or to disable economically as a step toward forcing
submission to certain demands.

5. Pyromania – Is the uncontrollable impulse of a person to burn anything without motivation.

Pyromaniacs usually do not run away from the scene of the crime, usually alone and feel
satisfied watching the flame

 Types of Pyromaniacs:

A . Abnormal Youth – Epileptics, imbeciles and morons may set fire without knowing the seriousness of
the act.

C. The Hero Type – a person may set fire on a building, subsequently pretends to discover it
and turn in the alarm so that he will appear a hero to the public. A person may burn a
building and endeavor to achieve spectacular rescue in order to attract the attention of
spectators.

D. Alcoholics and Drug Addicts – persons who subject themselves to intense artificial
stimulants such as narcotics sometimes develop a strong urge toward incendiaries.
 E. Sexual Deviates – some sex perverts derive sexual stimulation from setting a fire and
watching the flame. Frequently, he is chronic masturbator who stimulates and enhances
his sexual gratification by means of arson.

5. Public Disturbance – an offender may resort to arson as a means of a public disturbance because
a fire attracts people and destruction causes confusion that gives rise to attendant problems that
divert police attention.

6. Vandalism – Is a general term denoting intentional burning to destroy properties.

 In determining motive, a fire investigator concentrates on three major factors:

1. Points of origin of the fire

2. Modus operandi of the arsonist

3. Identify of persons who might benefits from the fire.

 Incendiary Materials

Materials used to start a fire; combustible fuels:

1. Arson Chemicals (liquids) – are incendiary materials often used by arsonists as accelerants.
Possess excellent properties. Examples: alcohol, benzene, petroleum ether, gasoline, kerosene,
naptha, turpentine.

2. Gases – as acetylene, butane, CO, ethylene, hydrogen, natural gas, propane, these are common
gases resulting in fires from explosion. These when mix with air possess excellent in ignition
properties and when present in an enclosed area can lead to explosion.

3. Solids – as chlorates, perchlorates, chromates, bichromates, nitrates, permanganates – are

typical families of oxidizing agents which give off oxygen on decomposition thus aiding in
combustion.
  Collection of Liquid Samples for Accelerant Testing

1. Liquid accelerants may be collected with

A. New syringe

B. Siphoning device

C. Evidence container itself

D. Sterilize cotton balls or gauge pads may also be used to absorbed the liquid

2. Where liquid accelerants are believed to have become trapped in porous materials such as
concrete floor:

A. Lime

b. Diatomaceous earth

c. flour

3. Collection of liquid evidence absorbed by solid materials including soils and sand:

A. Scooping

B. Scraping

C. drilling

D. Core drilling

4. Collecting of Solid samples for accelerant testing

• Solid accelerant may be common household materials and compounds or dangerous chemicals. When
collecting solid accelerants:
 A. The fire investigator must ensure that the solid accelerant is maintained in physical state
in which is found

B. Some incendiary materials remain Corrosive and Reactive

C. Ensure the corrosive nature of these residue does not attack the packaging container

5. Collection of Gaseous samples

 Method of Collection:

A. Use of commercially available mechanical

Sampling device

B. Utilization evacuated air sampling cans. These cans are specifically designed for taking
gaseous samples

C. Use of clean glass bottled filled with distilled water. Distilled water use as it has had most
of the impurities removed from it. This method simply require the investigator poured
the distilled water out of its bottle in the atmosphere to be sampled. As distilled water
leaves the bottle it is replaced by the gaseous sample

6. Collection of Electrical Equipments and Components

Before wires are cut, a photograph should be taken of the wires, and the both ends of the wire should
be tagged and cut so that they can be identified as one of the following:

A. The device or appliance to which it was attached or from which it was severed
 B. The circuit breaker or fuse number or location to which the wire was attached or from
which it was severed

C. The wire’s path or the route it took between the device and the circuit protector,
electrical switches, receptacles, thermostats, relays, junction boxes, electrical
distribution panels, and similar equipment and components are often collected as
physical evidence.

RA no.9514 – Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 (Dec. 19, 2008).

PD. 1185 – known as the fire code of the Philippines, was enacted into law 1977, repealed by RA no.
9514.

RA no. 9263 – Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
Professionalization Act of 2004.

BFP Powers/Functions

1. Preventions and suppression of all destructive

Fires on

a. buildings

b. houses

c. other structure

d. forest

e. land transportation vehicles

f. ships/vessels

g. petroleum industry installations

h. plane crashes and similar incidents

2. Enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines

3. Investigate all causes of fire

4. File proper complaints with the prosecutors office

Note: Vessel/Ship must be docked at piers or wharves or anchored in major seaport.

BFP Organization

Headed by a Chief who shall be assisted by a Deputy Chief. It shall composed of a Provincial, District,
City and Municipal stations.

In large provinces, district offices may be established to be headed by a district fire marshall.

In large cities and municipalities, district offices may be established with subordinate fire stations headed
by a district fire marshall.

There shall be at least one fire station in every provincial, capital, city and municipality.

The local government unit shall provide the site of the fire station.

BFP Key Positions

The Chief of the Fire Bureau – rank is Director.

The Deputy Chief of the Fire Bureau – rank is Chief Superintendent.

Assistant Regional Director for Fire Protection – rank is Senior Superintendent.

District Fire Marshall of NCR District Offices – rank is Senior Superintendent.

Provincial Fire Marshall – rank is Superintendent.

District Fire Marshall of Province – rank is Chief Inspector.

Chief of City/Municipal Fire Station – rank is Senior Inspector.

Key Positions – Qualifications

1. Municipal Fire Marshal – should have the rank of

Senior Inspector.

a. Must have finished at least 2nd year Bachelor of

Laws or earned at least 12 units in a masters

Degree program in public administration,

Management, engineering, public safety,

Criminology or other related discipline.

b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary

Training of career courses for such position as

 May be established by the fire bureau.

2. City Fire Marshal – should have the rank of Chief

Inspector.

a. Must have finished at least 2nd year Bachelor of

Laws or earned at least 24 units in a masters

Degree program in public administration,

Management, engineering, public safety,

Criminology or other related disciplines.

b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary

Training or career courses for such position as

May be established by the fire bureau.

3. District Fire Marshal/Provincial Fire Marshal/

Assistant Regional Director for Administration/

Assistant Regional Director for Operations/

Chief of Directorial Staff – should have the rank of

Superintendent.

a. Must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a

Holder of a Masters degree in public

Administration, management, engineering,

Public safety, criminology, or other related

Disciplines.

b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary

Training or career courses for such position as

May be established by the fire bureau.

4. District Fire marshal for the NCR/Regional

Director for Fire Protection/Director of the

Directorate of the National Headquarters Office –

Should have at least the rank of Senior

Superintendent.
 a. Must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a

Holder of masters degree in public administration,

Management, engineering, public safety,

Criminology, or other related disciplines.

b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary

Training or career course for such position as may

Be established by the fire bureau.

5. Deputy Chief for Administration and

Deputy Chief for Operation of the Fire Bureau –

Should have the rank of Chief superintendent.

a. Must be a member of the Philippine Bar or must

Be a holder of a masters degree in public

Administration, management, engineering,

Public safety, criminology or other related

Disciplines.

b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary

Training or career courses as may be established

By the fire bureau.

6. Chief of the Fire Bureau – should have the rank

Of Director.

a. Must be a member of the Philippine Bar or a

Masters degree in public administration,

Management, engineering, public safety,

Criminology or other related discipline.

b. Must satisfactory passed the necessary

The training or career courses for such position

As may be established by the fire bureau.

Related Readings: Fire Technology and Investigation

1. Fire Technology Reviewer 1

2. Crime Detection Review Questions

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